A chlorophyll-based agent for marking living greenery

ABSTRACT

An outdoor marking product comprising a chlorophyll-based agent for highlighting living greenery. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to the health of the living greenery. When viewed by a viewer at a minimum predefined viewing distance, the living greenery treated with the chlorophyll-based agent can be visibly distinguishable from and shinier than neighboring untreated living greenery. When the viewer is nearer than the minimum predefined viewing distance, the difference in shine and color between the treated living greenery and the untreated living greenery can be substantially unnoticeable.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of botanical treatments and, more particularly, to a chlorophyll-based agent for marking living greenery.

There are a variety of reasons that people want or need to mark living greenery like grass and shrubs. A common reason is sports or related outdoor activities. Boundaries and other important markings are often applied to the grass field using a chalk-like powder or a paint. Further, advertisements, team or company logos are also commonly marked upon grass or other ground cover at sports events and other outdoor venues.

These means create markings that are viewable by everyone, people watching at the venue and on television as well as the players on the field. The quantity and placement of the markings are limited in order to not distract the players. Thus, great swaths of greenery are often deemed unusable for this purpose. This translates into large areas that have the potential for revenue via advertisement if the markings did not interfere with the activities of people located on that area.

Therefore, what is needed is a means of marking living greenery that is only noticeable from a distance by viewers. For example, advertisements that are viewable by the people in the stands of an arena, but not by the players on the field.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention can include an outdoor marking product comprising a chlorophyll-based agent for highlighting living greenery. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to the health of the living greenery. When viewed by a viewer at a minimum predefined viewing distance, the living greenery treated with the chlorophyll-based agent can be visibly distinguishable from and shinier than neighboring untreated living greenery. When the viewer is nearer than the minimum predefined viewing distance, the difference in shine and color between the treated living greenery and the untreated living greenery can be substantially unnoticeable.

Another aspect of the present invention can include a landscaping method that involves applying a chlorophyll-based agent to living greenery according to a predetermined pattern. The chlorophyll-based agent can increase shine and alter a shade of green of the living greenery when viewed by a viewer at a minimum predefined viewing distance. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to the health of the living greenery. When the viewer is nearer than the minimum predefined viewing distance, the difference in the shine and the shade of green between treated living greenery and untreated living greenery can be substantially unnoticeable.

Yet another aspect of the present invention can include a frost protection treatment comprising a chlorophyll-based agent that mitigates the harmful effects caused by frost to living greenery. Application of the chlorophyll-based agent can create a protective barrier upon surfaces of the living greenery. The chlorophyll-based agent can be non-detrimental to a health of the living greenery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method describing the general use of a chlorophyll-based agent in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for utilizing a chlorophyll-based agent in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram graphically illustrating the effect of viewing distance on markings made with the chlorophyll-based agent in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses a distance-dependent means of marking living greenery. A chlorophyll-based agent can be applied to living greenery to create a shiny, green-tinted marking that is viewable within a predefined viewing distance range. Markings viewed at closer distances can be relatively unnoticeable to the viewer.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system or method. Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods and apparatus (systems) according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method 100 describing the general use of a chlorophyll-based agent in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method 100 can begin in step 105 where a user can apply the chlorophyll-based agent to living greenery according to a predetermined pattern. Living greenery, as used herein, can refer to green-colored plants and/or plant elements.

The chlorophyll-based agent can be product that utilizes natural chlorophyll to create a shiny, green-tinted coating on the living greenery. The chlorophyll-based agent can be applied to the living greenery, in step 105, in a variety of ways commensurate with the specific formulation of the chlorophyll-based agent.

The predetermined pattern can represent the overall design or marking (e.g., graphic, text, line, shape, etc.) to be drawn upon the living greenery with the chlorophyll-based agent. The pattern can be applied in a manner that is compatible with the application means and the type of pattern. For example, a company logo can be applied to a grass field using a stencil and sprayer.

In step 110, a viewer can detect the pattern on the living greenery when within a predefined range of viewing distances. The viewer can overlook the pattern on the living greenery when outside (i.e., closer than the minimum or farther than the maximum) the predefined range of viewing distances in step 115. The predefined range of viewing distances can represent the minimum and maximum distances at which the pattern is visible by the viewer. The predefined distance range can vary based upon how thick a coating of the chlorophyll-based agent is applied to the living greenery.

For example, a typical application of the chlorophyll-based agent can have a predefined distance range with a minimum value of as 1 meter (1.1 yard) and a maximum value of 549 meters (600 yards).

Additionally, the predefined viewing distance can also require that the viewer have a viewing angle of at least 20° in order for the pattern to be seen. This viewing angle can allow environmental light to be properly reflected by the chlorophyll-based agent to make the pattern recognizable to the viewer.

While the steps of method 100 may appear ordinary, it can be important to note that conventional marking agents for living greenery are visible to a viewer at most viewing distances, though clarity of the pattern may vary. For example, when the name of a team sponsor is applied to a soccer field using conventional paint, the name can be clearly seen at distance by people in the stands and by cameras. Players on the field can also see the painted grass on the field, though they may be unable to discern the name. This painted grass can be distracting to the players, so such markings may be limited or disallowed.

Applying the sponsor name using the chlorophyll-based agent can result in the people in the stands and cameras being able to view the name at a distance without the players on the field noticing the name. Since the chlorophyll-based agent is not distracting to the players, areas of the field can be used for advertising, increasing revenue for the team and/or field.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system 200 for utilizing a chlorophyll-based agent 210 in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System 200 can perform the steps of method 100.

In system 200, a user 205 can use an applicator 215 to apply a chlorophyll-based agent 210 to living greenery 220, creating distance-visible markings 225. The user 205 can represent a person or computer system and/or program capable of controlling the applicator 215.

The living greenery 220 can represent an area of green vegetation and/or plant life. Examples of living greenery can include, but are not limited to, ground cover plants, grass, moss, ivy, the foliage of a tree, the foliage of a bush, the foliage of a shrub, the foliage of a plant, a non-woody plant stem, and the like.

The living greenery can be a part of and/or associated with a different types of locations, outdoor as well as indoor. Examples of such locations can include, but are not limited to, a sports venue (e.g., soccer field, baseball field, etc.), an entertainment venue, an agricultural area, a forest, a nature park, a pasture, a rainforest, and the like.

The chlorophyll-based agent 210 can be mixture that utilizes natural chlorophyll to create a distance-visible marking 225 on the living greenery 220. The distance-visible marking 225 can be a shiny, green-tinted coating that is only visible to a viewer at a predefined viewing distance. An example formulation of the chlorophyll-based agent 210 can be as follows:

Component Percentage (per 100 L) Acrylic Emulsion 60 Water 35.25 Bactericide 0.4 Antifoam Agent 0.15 Wetting Agent 0.2 Coalescent 1 Cellulose Thickener 0.2 pH Regulator 0.3 Green Pigment Bc 2 Chlorophyll Pigment 0.5

The chlorophyll-based agent 210 can be permanent, yet non-detrimental to the health of the underlying living greenery 220. That is, unlike conventional paints and dyes used on living greenery 220, the chlorophyll-based agent 210 can allow the living greenery 220 of the distance-visible markings 225 to function normally. This can be achieved through a unique formulation that allows the formation of voids in the coating the chlorophyll-based agent 210 that allow sunlight to reach the leaf without reducing the effectiveness of the chlorophyll-based agent 210.

For example, grass 220 treated with the chlorophyll-based agent 210 can continue to grow naturally. A conventional grass paint can inhibit the ability of the grass 220 to breathe and photosynthesize, causing the grass 220 to die.

Like many conventional marking treatments, the chlorophyll-based agent 210 can be removed from the living greenery 220 via removal or pruning. For example, a logo 225 applied to grass 220 can be removed from a sports field when the portion of the grass blades 220 coated by the chlorophyll-based agent 210 are severed during mowing.

The chlorophyll-based agent 210 can be applied to the living greenery 220 using an applicator 215 that is commensurate with the specific formulation of the chlorophyll-based agent 210. Examples of the applicator 215 can include, but are not limited to, a brush, a spray can or bottle, a pneumatic sprayer, a roller, a machine that utilizes one or more of these means, and the like. One liter of the chlorophyll-based agent 210 can be used to coat 16 square meters of living greenery 220.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 graphically illustrating the effect of viewing distance 325 and 330 on markings 310 made with the chlorophyll-based agent in accordance with embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Diagram 300 can embody an example use of the chlorophyll-based agent in a sports setting.

The sports field 305 can be comprised of living greenery, most likely a variety of grass. At one or more designated locations, distance-visible markings 310 can be applied to the grass of the sports field 305.

When a sporting event is played on the sports field 305, one or more sports players 315 can move around on the sports field 305. It can be likely for a sports player 315 to pass over a distance-visible marking 310 during this event. The sports player's 315 field of vision can include the distance-visible marking 310. The viewing distance 330 (i.e., the distance from their eyes to the distance-visible marking 310) of the sports player 315 can be relatively small, allowing the distance-visible marking 310 to appear unnoticeable to the sports player 315.

Viewers 320 of the sporting event can be situated farther away from the sports field 305 and distance-visible markings 310. At this viewing distance 325, the distance-visible marking 310 can be seen or noticed by the viewers 320.

In another contemplated embodiment, the viewers 320 can include photographic and/or video cameras.

The diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems and methods according to various embodiments of the present invention. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An outdoor marking product comprising: a chlorophyll-based agent for highlighting living greenery, wherein said chlorophyll-based agent is non-detrimental to a health of the living greenery, wherein, when viewed by a viewer at a minimum predefined viewing distance, living greenery treated with the chlorophyll-based agent is visibly distinguishable from and shinier than neighboring untreated living greenery, wherein, when the viewer is nearer than the minimum predefined viewing distance, a difference in shine and color between the treated living greenery and the untreated living greenery is substantially unnoticeable.
 2. The marking product of claim 1, wherein the living greenery comprises at least one of a ground cover, a grass, a moss, an ivy, foliage of a tree, foliage of a bush, foliage of a shrub, foliage of a plant, and a non-woody plant stem.
 3. The marking product of claim 1, wherein, when viewed at the minimum predefined viewing distance, the treated living greenery is recognizable as text.
 4. The marking product of claim 1, wherein, when viewed at the minimum predefined viewing distance, the treated living greenery is recognizable as a graphical image.
 5. The marking product of claim 1, wherein, when viewed at the minimum predefined viewing distance, the treated living greenery is recognizable as a line.
 6. The marking product of claim 1, wherein, when viewed at the minimum predefined viewing distance, the treated living greenery is recognizable as a geometric shape.
 7. The marking product of claim 1, wherein the living greenery is a part of one of a sports venue, an entertainment venue, an agricultural area, a forest, a nature park, a pasture, and a rainforest.
 8. The marking product of claim 1, wherein an application means for the chlorophyll-based agent comprises at least one of a brush, a roller, a sprayer, an aerosol can, and a machine that utilizes at least one such means.
 9. The marking product of claim 1, wherein a thickness of a coating of the chlorophyll-based agent on the treated living greenery provides a substantial degree of frost protection when said treated living greenery is exposed to frost-producing environmental conditions.
 10. The marking product of claim 1, wherein the viewer comprises one of a human being, a photographic camera, and a video camera.
 11. The marking product of claim 1, wherein the minimum predefined viewing distance is one meter.
 12. The marking product of claim 1, wherein the chlorophyll-based agent comprises at least an acrylic emulsion, water, bactericide, an antifoam agent, a wetting agent, a coalescent agent, a cellulose thickener, a pH regulator, a green pigment, and a chlorophyll pigment
 13. A landscaping method comprising: applying a chlorophyll-based agent to living greenery according to a predetermined pattern, wherein the chlorophyll-based agent increases shine and alters a shade of green of said living greenery when viewed by a viewer at a minimum predefined viewing distance, wherein said chlorophyll-based agent is non-detrimental to a health of the living greenery, wherein, when the viewer is nearer than the minimum predefined viewing distance, a difference in the shine and the shade of green between treated living greenery and untreated living greenery is substantially unnoticeable.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein an application means for the chlorophyll-based agent comprises at least one of a brush, a roller, a sprayer, an aerosol can, and a machine that utilizes at least one such means.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the viewer comprises one of a human being, a photographic camera, and a video camera.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the living greenery comprises at least one of a ground cover, a grass, a moss, an ivy, foliage of a tree, foliage of a bush, foliage of a shrub, foliage of a plant, and a non-woody plant stem.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the pattern comprises at least one of text, a geometric shape, a line, and a graphical image
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the minimum predefined viewing distance is one meter.
 19. A frost protection treatment comprising: a chlorophyll-based agent for mitigating harmful effects caused by frost to living greenery, wherein application of the chlorophyll-based agent creates a protective barrier upon surfaces of the living greenery, wherein said chlorophyll-based agent is non-detrimental to a health of the living greenery.
 20. The treatment of claim 19, wherein an application means for the chlorophyll-based agent comprises at least one of a brush, a roller, a sprayer, an aerosol can, and a machine that utilizes at least one such means. 